This 2-D platformer/shooter will remind you of a few classic games without seeming like a rip-off. Run, gun, stab and roll your way through a variety of missions objectives ranging from search & destroy to hostage rescue missions. Collect material drops and take them back to your headquarters to craft new weapons, protective gear, stat enhancements and even food, and you'll find some fun references in the weapons. You'll probably want to repeat missions multiple times to farm materials, but fortunately the game mechanics are fun enough and many missions are short enough to keep it from being the worst kind of grind. There's a wide and weird assortment of enemies trying to kill you and bosses have that classic game feel that force you to figure out their attack patterns. The game hits a sweet spot of old (solid game play and some fine pixel art) and new (crafting, chosen missions instead of linear levels) for me.

River City Ransom: Underground finds a sweet spot between respecting the legacy of the River City Ransom/Kunio-Kun series and bringing in enough new things to make it fresh without spoiling the recipe. The updated fighting system blends more fighting game techniques into the mix, and, once you find someone in the roster who fits your playing style, you'll be amazed at some of the combos you can do. You'll need to beat enemies for experience points and more, improve stats with food and items, and train in the dojos before you can unless 100% of that wrath. You'll need every advantage you can get, because no opponent in this game is a pushover.

The humor from the original RCR is back in everything from the store item descriptions and enemy dialogue to easter egg-filled bits of graffiti. Fun also figures into the story, which unfolds as you fight bosses and complete tasks, and you'll eventually find out that there's more than just an escaped gang leader pulling the strings. The sprite work has a good, chunky feel without being a copy of that classic NES Kunio-Kun style, the sounds are crisp (the hits have a really nice crunch to them), and the music recaptures the vibe of the old soundtrack. The team who made this really nailed the tone from that first game.

It's a great comeback, a tough fight, and definitely worth a purchase for fans of 2-D beat 'em ups.